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Baking Handset Cords Question

Started by Craig T, March 01, 2010, 08:52:32 PM

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Craig T

Well, I have a cord on the dowel ready to go. I am using a 3/8" dowel to wind the cord on. Using this method here

http://www.classicrotaryphones.com/forum/index.php?topic=202.0

I did notice that the 3/8" dowel is thicker than some of my cords. Particularly the gray one and the Brown SC 554 I just got.

http://www.classicrotaryphones.com/forum/index.php?topic=2080.0


http://www.classicrotaryphones.com/forum/index.php?topic=2251.0


So are there different diameter among the hard wire cords for WE 3/8" is perfect on my older black 500 handset cords and some of the others I have too. Or is this possibly a case of the cord leaning out over the course of time from being stretched?

Point is I do not want to make the cord look unnatural compared to what it was. Thanks for your advice, -Craig

Dennis Markham

Craig, I have found that some cords are coiled tighter than others.  What the exact dimensions of them are, I do not know.  I know, that's not much help.

Craig T

Dennis, do you use different diameter dowels or do you go all 3/8" ?

Jim Stettler

 I am thinking a dowel that is to big will create a looser cord. I would  buy a 5/16" dowel . Dowels are cheap.
JMO,

Jim
You live, You learn,
You die, you forget it all.

Craig T

I hear you Jim,  I will go to the local hardware store with a skinny cord just to make sure this time too, thanks -Craig

Dennis Markham

To be honest with you Craig, I don't remember what size dowel I use.  I believe it was 3/8.  If I remember correctly Jorge used a long ratchet extension that size and wrapped a cord around that, then left it inside a black sock on the rear window deck of his car.  A few days in the California heat improved the condition of his cord.

Looking back on those topics you referred to....if I posted 3/8 at the time then that's what I have.  I'll go back and double-check.

Like Jim said, they're cheap.

Dennis Markham

Craig, it was 3/8 that I used for the cords I have done.

Steve

Quote from: Craig T on March 01, 2010, 08:52:32 PM
Well, I have a cord on the dowel ready to go. I am using a 3/8" dowel to wind the cord on. Using this method here

http://www.classicrotaryphones.com/forum/index.php?topic=202.0

I did notice that the 3/8" dowel is thicker than some of my cords. Particularly the gray one and the Brown SC 554 I just got.

http://www.classicrotaryphones.com/forum/index.php?topic=2080.0


I clicked your link and I think you are trying to make me jealous again with that gray phone.

it's beautiful.

If you're a long way from home,
Can't sleep at night.
Grab your telephone,
Something just ain't right.

Craig T

Thanks Steve. I spent more time on that phone than I have the 8 after it put together. The last problem is that my cord has bed head. Time for me to comb that rat's nest out tomorrow  :)

Craig T

#9
ALRIGHT! Finally no more unruly phone cords. I trained these things to sit, shake, roll over, all of it!  The picture shows the green 500 with the original skinnier cord.

I used a 1/4" dowel on this and the skinny gray cord. I used the 3/8" dowel for my black 5-54 500 cord and my 302 cord. The cord on my 302 was stretched just about straight, it was that bad.

Make sure you use twist ties and not tape to fasten your ends. I used this cookie sheet so I could rest the dowels on the raised edges. This sheet measures 18"x13" with a 1" raised lip on the edge.

I set the oven at 220 degrees and left the cords in 40 minutes, then I cooled them 40-60 minutes outside on a cold Michigan night repeated this process once more. I bake two cords at once and run them through twice each.

Anyhow, that was an awesome setup. Thank you D/P and everyone else who chipped in on your original thread. That helped me a lot.



I forgot to show pics of what is under the hood in this Green 500, here are a couple.

Dennis Markham

Craig, the results of your cord experiment obviously did very well.  In referring to a document that we were unaware of when our original posts were made, the temperature of the baking should be at 105 degrees.  Now you got good results but based upon what the author wrote, the 105 degree temperature is what was used in the manufacture of the cords. Also the time specified was much shorter, only 20 minutes in both the oven and refrigerator.  But again, you can't beat results and the green cord looks great!

Here is the article.  It's about Trimline cords but can be applied to any of the cords.

http://atcaonline.com/trimlinecord.html

Craig T

#11
I honestly tried my first cords at 105 for 20 minutes and then the same outside. I found they were still springy. The same was somewhat true for this way also. That is why I did them twice.

I did not try the ones at 105 twice though. I have one more set of cords to do and I will try them twice at 105 degrees this time instead. If this will work in less time with less temp, I would much rather do it that way. I would say there is less rubber in a trim line cord than one of these hard wired ones though. So these may require more temp or time. Thanks for the tip Dennis.  I will report back the results later this evening.  -Craig

foots

  Wow, those turned out very well. I have a white cord that's yellowed that is stretched out a good bit. Should I try to fix the color first then try to reshape it or should it be done the other way around?

 CraigT, where did you get that green dial card?
"Ain't Worryin' 'Bout Nothin"

Craig T

#13
It was Mr. Bing who set me up with that. Here is a link to the original thread where you can download a copy to print for yourself if needed. He actually posted 6 different colors -Craig

Not sure about the order right yet. I can say more later. I am going to try and clean the gray cord now. It would not clean up before the baking, but I did not have it on a dowel then either. Hopefully it will clean up now.

http://www.classicrotaryphones.com/forum/index.php?topic=2080.30

Jim Stettler

Quote from: foots on March 03, 2010, 01:38:55 PM
 Wow, those turned out very well. I have a white cord that's yellowed that is stretched out a good bit. Should I try to fix the color first then try to reshape it or should it be done the other way around?

 CraigT, where did you get that green dial card?

I would do the color first. That way you can scrub hard if needed, then bake it nice and tight.

If you are planning on using a protectorant on the cord I wouldn't do that until after it is baked.
JMO,
Jim
You live, You learn,
You die, you forget it all.